Spring turning mechanism



ra. R.- SCHNEIDER ET AL 1,858,211

SPRING TURNING MEGHANISM May .10, 1932.

Fild Aug. 9, 19:50

5 Sheets-Sheet May "10, 1932 B. R; SCHNEIDER ET AL 1,858,211

SPRING' TURNING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 9, 1930 5 Sheeis-Sheecl 2 BERNARD R.5CHNE\DER INVENTORS May 10, 1932. B. R. SCHNEIDER ET AL 1,358,211

SPRING TURNING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 9, 1930 3 sheets-sheet 5 Patented May 10, 1932 OFFICE BERNARD R. SCHNEIDER, OF LYNDHURST, AND KARL KAISER, F RIDGEFIELD, NEW

JERSEY, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 S. KARPEN & BROS., OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS SPRING TURNING MECHANISM Application led August 9, 1930. Serial No. 474,238.`

This invention relates to a means for positioning coil springs within a lsuitable container, the container usually being in the form of a strip of fabric material and the 5. coils enclosed within successively disposed partitions. p

In machines for manufacturing coil springs for mattresses, automobile upholstery. cushions or the like, the springs are usually compressed and inserted in the container strip which is folded and sewed and/ or woven or otherwise to form individual pockets for the coil springs. Mechanically, it is convenient to insert each spring with its axis 1m at right angle to the flat faces of the pocketed material and to effect the closing of the pockets by sewing or otherwise while the springs are in said position, and to turn the springs through a right or other angle subsequent to the closing operation. y n

It is not advantageous to insert the springs initially in their final position within the pockets. because an excess of container strip material must be utilized to allow each spring to expand to a suitable extent and to have a suitable excess or surplus of the container material surrounding the' springs. Upon turning each spring within its poclret through an angle of substantially ninety degrecs so that the vertical central axis thereof lies in the plane of the stitching and/ or weaving which forms `the pocket. the spring expands within its pocketand it tends to :fit more vcompactly.therein under condition of relatively small excess of material about the edges thereof. When a set of such spring contained strip are grouped together as a mattress, `seat or other cushion assembly, there is less loose surplus fabric materialand the arrangement forms neater, more economical and more easilyI and conveniently handled disposition.

In the past it has been the practice to turn the coil spring within the enclosure of the pocket 3y hand labor, after the springs have been discharged from the spring-inserting machine.

It is an object of this invention to produce a mechanism which will perform this operation mechanically and positively, to insure the desired turning of each spring.

Further features and objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detail description of the accompanying drawings, in which p Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the springpositioning mechanism attached to the discharge end of a spring-inserting machine.

Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive are side elevations illustrating various positions of the rotating mechanism which forms part of the Inachine.

Fig. 6 is a right section taken through a pocket of a fabric cover showing the position of a coil spring in relation to this pocket as the spring is discharged from a spring-inserting machine.

Fig. 7illustrates the position of a coil spring and its enclosing pocket after it has passed through the envelope element but before it is acted upon by the turning elements illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5.

Fig. 8 illustrates a spring and its enclosing pocket and the relative position of the two after it has been acted upon by the rotatingelement illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive.

Fig. 9 illustrates a spring-and enclosing pocket after it has been discharged from the rotating elements and shows its final position. Y

Fig. 10 is a right section taken through 10--10 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary right section talren through 11-11 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 isa section on line 19.-12 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 isa section on line 1313 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 represents the frame of a spring-inserting machine which may comprise the Vfeatures shown and describedv inY our co-pending application Seriali No. 363,869, led May 17, 1929, entitled Machine for enclosing metallic coiled springs. Machines of this kind insert coil springs usually in compressedstatus, within a pocket made by two layers of fabric sewed, woven or otherwise connected together. The fabric container usually comprises a series of these pockets disposed side by side and each coil spring is usually inserted from the side and the opening subsequently sewed up. When so inserted, the central axis of the coil spring is disposed in a plane at right angles to the plane of stitching and/or weaving which forms the pockets, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6. A row of such springs is shown at 2 coming from the discharge -end vof the spring-inserting machine which discharge end may be equipped with a shelf 3 along which the pocketed springs may travel.

The spring-turning mechanism, as a whole, Y

which forms the subject matter of this invention is shown at A and comprises a horizontally disposed frame 5 supported at its inner end upon the frame 1 of the spring-inserting machine and at its outer end upon suitable legs such as those illustrated at 6. Upon the framework 5 is shown a pair of tracks 8, see Fig. 10, which are adapted to support a carriage 9, which in turn supports a folding element F by means of vertically disposed U-members 11, 12 and 13. The folding member F comprises two oppositely disposed portions, an upper portion 15 and a lower portion 16. The cross-sectional contour and dimensions of this folding element change constantly from the right to the left as viewed in Fig. 1. The contour at the right hand end is illustrated in Fig. 12, and the elements 15 and 16 comprise right angularly disposed surfaces spaced one from the other. Each element has a. vertically disposed surface and a horizontally disposed surface. rlhe latter surfaces are parallel to each other and spaced from each other, and are adapted to receive the pocketed spring therebetween. The outer ends of the vertically disposed surfaces bend inwardly toward the center of the device and progressively from the right to the left so that at the lefthand end of the folding element. the outer portion of the vertically disposed surfaces have assumed substantially a horizontal position, as illustrated in Fig. 13. By means of this configuration, the hem or fiap of the pockets in which the coil springs are contained is folded over into the position shown in Fig. 7 as the row of coil springs is drawn through the folding mechanism. As the springs leave the spring-inserting machine, they are related to the pockets in a manner as illustratedV in Fig. 6. As they enter the folding element, theyi are compressed by passing between the horizontally disposed surfaces of the upper .and lower members 15 and 16,-thus leaving a flap or margin shown at 2O and 21 in Fig. 7. After entering the folding element, flaps 2O and 21 are not in the position shown in Fig. 7, but instead are vertically disposed adjacent to and contacting with the vertically disposed surfaces of the upper and lower members 15, 16. rll`hen as the pocketed springs progress through the folding element, these flaps and 21 are gradually forced down by the bent portion of the vertically disposed surfaces of the upper and lower members 15 and 16 into the position shown in Fig. 7, so that as the pocketed springs emerge from the folding element, the flaps are folded around them in the same manner as illustrated in Fig. 7.

As the coil pocketed springs S are discharged from the folding element, they pass between the rotating or turning element of the machine, shown at R, which comprises a pair of parallel plates and 31 disposed at right angles t'o the path of motion of the pocketed springs. Plate 30, which is the upper plate is mounted upon a pair of cranks 32 and 33 which are ,keyed` to and adapted to rotate with stub shafts 34 and 35 respectively mounted upon a suitable supporting plate, such as 36. Upon the opposite ends of these stub shafts are keyed a vpair of relatively large gears 37 and 38.

The lower plate 31 ner to a pair of cranks 4() and l1 mounted upon and keyed to stub shafts l2 and 43 which are supported in `suitable bearings in the plate 36 and have attached to the opposite ends thereof gears and 46. Gears 37 and 38 are connected together by pinion 48, and gears 38 and L16 are in like manner connected together by a larger pinion which is mounted upon and keyed to a shaft, upon which sprocket 52 is mounted. Sprocket 52 is in turn connected by a chain 55 to sprocket 53 which is mounted upon power shaft 54 which may or may not be connected to the power shaft of the spring-inserting mechanism, but preferably is so connected in order thatvthe spring-inserting machine and the spring-rotating machine may be properly synchronized.

Upon rotation of sprocket 52, the gears l 37, 38, Ll5 and 1G r-otatertogether and `the crank arms attached thereto in like manner rotate and carry the plates 30 and 31 around with them, always maintaining the plates in parallel relation to each other. Adjacent their outer ends, the plates 30 and 31 are provided with suitable means to engage the pocketed springs as the same are delivered from the spring-inserting mechanism. As one such engaging means, we provide rough- .ened surfaces 56 and 56 for .the respective plates 30, 31, which grip the fabric serving as the covering. As stated before, the coil spring S is positioned by the coil-inserting mechanism in its pocket as illustrated in Fig. 7, and upon delivery from the springinserting mechanism passes between the plates 30 and 31 which engage the pocketed spring in the manner vindicated in Fig. 2. The direction of rotation -of the gears 37, 38, 45 and 116, as indicated by the applied is attached in like man l arrows, see Fig. 2, causes the plate 30 to y move toward the right and the plate 31to move toward the left as shown by the applied arrows; this motion occurs While the plates embrace a compressed pocketed spring therebetween. As this motion continues, the plates assume the position shown in Fig. 3, and the flaps of the covering material 20 and 21 are moved relative to each other toward the position shown in Figs. 3 and 8. Further movement brings the covering materia'l into the position shown in Fig. 4. rl`his entire motion comprises a movement of the covering fabric relative to the spring S and effects a transfer of position of the partition stitching or weaving between the pockets from a plane at right angles to the centrally disposed axis of the coil spring to a plane parallel with the centrally disposed axis of the coil spring. Further movement of the plates 30 and 31 from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in F ig. 5 separates the plates one from Vthe other and enables the spring to expand to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 9, which is the desired or final position of the spring relative to the covering material.

The row of pocketed springs may be drawn through a suitable take-up or equivalent machine, the illustrated take-up machine comprising a. wheel 60 having a series of depressions or compartments disposed around the periphery thereof, formed by radially disposed members 61 and 62 attached to each side of the wheel near the outer circumference thereof. Each pair of such radial members is connected together by a bar 63. The series of such members disposed around the circumference form a device similar to a sprocket wheel and the compartments thereon are of proper size and spacing to receive the pocketed coil springs in the manner of a sprocket chain and wheels, as appears from Figs. 1 and 11, i. e., each pocketed coil spring fits between each set of radially disposed members 61, 62, in a like manner that the cross-member of a sprocket chain fits in the depression between the teeth of the sprocket wheel. Counter-clockwise direction of the rotation of the wheel 60, Fig. 1, may be utilized to impose'a tension upon the line of pocketed coil springs, and thuseffect or assist delivery of the row of coil springs through the coil inserting mechanism.

It has been found in practice that by reieving the tension imposed upon the row of pocketed springs during the operation of the turning or evolving mechanism, this operation is performed more readily, to which end the wheel 60 is given a forward motion and then a partial return motion, thus relieving the aforesaid tension, and the foldingelement is moved on its carriageft'oward the turn-V ing or rev lving mechanism a sufficient distance to move the row of pocketed springs on the right side of the turning or revolving mechanism. This action is accomplished on the side of the folding element by connecting one arm of a bell crank lever to the carriage 9 through a slot and pin connection shown at 71. The other arm shown at 72 is equipped with a cam wheel at the outer end thereof, shown at 73, and this cam wheel is adapted to cooperate with a cam 74 which is revolved by means of the chain 76 which passes over the sprocket wheel 77 mounted upon and keyed to shaft 54. Cam 74 serves to move the vertically disposed arm 70 toward the right and coil spring 78 serves to return vit toward the left. This mechanism is so arranged relative to the turning or revolving mechanism that the carriage 9 is moved to the left at the beginning of the turning or revolving operation so as to relieve the tension on the right side of the pocketed spring held between the plates 30 and 31.

The wheel 60 is keyed to shaft 80, mounted and supported in suitable bearings on a supporting framework 81 and is urged in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, by means of a friction clutch mechanism comprising a metal plate 82, pinned to shaft a pulley wheel 83 is interposed between flexible washers 84 and 85 and resiliently urged into contact with washer 85 which in turn is pressed against plate 82 by means of a coil spring 87 retained on the end of shaft 80 by cup washer 88 and nut 89. Pulley 83 is connected to pulley 90 by means of a leather belt 91 and pulley 90, mounted upon and keyed to shaft 92 which in turn is driven by a gearing 93 from power shaft 54. TWheel 60 is equipped on one side thereof with a ratchet gear 95 which is adapted to cooperate with movable dog 96 and stationary dog 97 so as to ratchet the wheel 60 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1. Movable dog 96 is mounted on the end of oscillating arm 98 which is adapted to oscillate around shaft 80. The lower'end of arm 98 is attached to the upper end of the movable lever 99 by means of rod 100. The lower end of the lever 99 is pivoted to a stationary point 101. Lever 99 is adapted to cooperate with cam 102 which is mounted upon shaft 92 and serves to urge the lever 99 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. A coil spring 104 serves to return the lever to the left. By means of this cam and lever, the movable dog 96 ratchets the wheel 60 in a counterclockwise direction. Stationary dog 97 is positioned so as to engage the ratchet wheel 95 at a point intermediate of the tooth depressions between the. teeth, as viewed in Fig. 1, when movable dog- 96 has reached its extreme or left-hand position.

By means of the friction clutch which incorporates the pulley 83, the wheel 60 isconstantly urged in a clockwise direction. Each time that the raised portion of the cam 102 engages the lever 99 the movable dog 96 ratchets the wheel 60 in a counter-clockwise direction. and stated bore, when dog reaches its extreme limit of movement, stationary dog 97 lies between two tooth depressions, so that as the movable dog is retract-ed, the friction clutch is enabled to move the Wheel 60 in a clockwise direction until stationary dog 97 engages the next adjacent tooth depression When the Wheel GO is brought to a stop and the clutch mechanism will siip. The action of the movable dog 96 imposes a tension on the row of coil springs and moves them sufficiently to place the next adjacent spring in operable relation to the plates 30 and 3l, and then the subsequent clockwise or retracting movement of the Wheel 60 tl-irough the distance of one-half a tooth is sufficient to relieve the tension on the row of springs. ln operation, as illustrated in the drawings, the pocketed springs are dra-vm from the discharge end of a spring-inserting machine by means of the tension imposed by the intermittently revolving Wheel 60. These springs are drawn into the folding mechanism, Wherein they are compressed and the flaps or edges of the cover therefor folded into the position illustrated in Fig. 7. s the springs leave the folding` mechanism F, they pass between the revolving or turning mechanism comprising the plates 30 and 3l as aforesaid and the folded ends or flaps 2O and Q1 are slid relative to each other into substantially the position shown in Fig. S andV then tie plates 230 and 3l release the pocketed spring to assume its position shown in Figs. l and i). During this turning or revolving operation` or to be more exact, precisely at the moment that it begins, the carriage 9 is moved slightly to the left in order to relieve the tension between the pocleted spring under operation by the plates 30 and 3l and the spring immediately to the right thereof. as viewed in Fig. l. At the same time, the 'Wheel GO is revolved in a clociwise direction one-half a tooth of the ratchet Wheel 95 in order to relieve the tension upon the spring engaged by plates 30 and 3l, and the spring immediately to the left thereof. in this manner, the row of pocketed coil springs progresses through the turning or rotating machine with a step by step motion, but "nevertheless, `with a continuous motion which may be readily synchronized to the speed of production of the spring-inserting machine so that tl c tivo machines may operate together as one to rapidly produce a continuous series of pocketed coil springs.

ldlliereas, We have described our invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modiications may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lVe claim:

l. ln a device of the character described, means for receiving a roiv of coil springs spacedly enclosed in covering material, and means for turning said covering material relative to an enclosed coil spring.

2. In a device of the character described,

means for receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in covering material formed into separate pockets disposed side by side and formed by joining two layers of fabric at the edges thereof and along traverse lines separating each pocket from the next adjoining pocket, and means for rotating said covering material relative to the enclosed coil springs.

3. In a device of the character described, means for receiving a roW of coil springs enclosed in covering material formed into separate pockets disposed side by side, means for compressing the enclosed spring and folding the covering material over the ends thereof, and means for moving said covering as folded relative to the enclosed springs.

4. 'In a device of the character described, means for receiving a roiv of coil springs enclosed in covering material formed into separate pockets disposed side by side, means for compressing the enclosed spring and folding the excess covering material over the ends thereof, comprising tivo complemental members through which the enclosed springs are adapted to pass for the compressing and folding operation, and a pair of relatively movable plates adapted to engage pocleted springs as they emerge from said means and move the covering material thereon relative to the enclosed springs.

5. in a device of the character described, means for receiving a roW of coil springs enclosed in covering material formed into Separate pockets disposed side by side, means for compressing the enclosed spring and folding the excess covering material over the ends thereof, comprising two complemental members through which the enclosed springs are adapted to successively pass for the compressing and folding operation, and a pair of relatively movable plates adapted to engage pocketed springs as they successively emerge from said means and move the covering material thereon relative to the enclosed springs.

6. In a device of the character described, means for receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in covering material secured transversely to form partitions to provide separate pockets disposed side by side, means for compressing each enclosed spring and folding the excess covering material over the ends thereof, comprising two complemental members through which the pocketed springs are adapted to pass for the compressing and folding operation, relatively movable means adapted to engage each pocketed spring as it emerges from said means and move the cover thereon relative to the enclosed spring so that the centrally disposed axis of said spring lies in the same plane as the partition securements between the pockets and means for moving said compressing and folding means relative to said movable members in predetermined relation thereto.

7. ln a device ofthe character described, means for receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in covering material formed with stitchings into separate pockets disposed side by side, means for compressing the enclosed springs and folding the excess covering material over the ends thereof, comprising two complemental members through which the pocketed springs are adapted to fpass for the compressing and folding operation, relatively movable members adapted to engage each pocketed spring as it emerges from said means and move the covering material thereon relative to the enclosed spring so that the centrally disposed axis of said spring lies in the same plane as the partition stitchings between the pockets, and feeding means adapted to move a row of pocketed springs through said folding and compresing means and said movable members.

8. In a device of the character described, means for receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in a covering material formed with partitions into separate pockets disposed side by side, means for compressing the enclosed springs and folding the excess covering material over the ends thereof, comprising two complemental members through which the pocketed springs are adapted to pass for the compressing and folding operation, relatively movable members adapted to engage each pocketed spring as it emerges from said means and move the cover thereon relative to the enclosed springs so that the centrally disposed axis of said spring lies in the same plane as the partitions between the pockets, feeding means adapted to move a row of pocketed springs through said folding and compressing means `and said movable members, and means for producing an intermittent motion of said feeding means.

9. In a devicevof the character described, means for receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in covering material formed with partitions into separate pockets disposed side by side, means for compressing the enclosed spring and folding the excess covering material over the ends thereof, comprising two complemental members through which the pocketed springs are adapted to pass for the compressing and folding operation, relatively movable members adapted to engage each pocketed spring as it emerges from said means and move the covering material thereon relative to the enclosed spring so that the centrally disposed axis of said spring lies in the same plane as the partitions between the pockets, feeding means adapted to move a row of pocketed springs through said folding and compressing mean and said movable members, and means for producing a reverse movement of said feeding means in timed relation to the operation of said compressing and folding means and said movable members.

l0. In a device of the character described, means for receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in covering material formed with partiions int-o separate pockets disposed side Vby si e, each enclosed spring, cover material over the ends thereof, comprising complemental members through which the pocketed springs are adapted to pass for the compressing and folding' operation, relatively movable members adapted to engage each pocketed spring as it emerges from said means and move the cover thereon relative to the enclosed spring so that the centrally disposed axis of said spring lies in the same plane as the partitions between the pockets, means for moving said compressing and folding means relative to said movable members in predetermined relation thereto, and feeding means adapted to move a row of pocketed springs through said compressing and folding means and said movable members. L

ll. In a device of the characterdescribed, means for receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in covering material with partitions into separate pocket disposed-side by side, means for compressing the enclosed spring and folding the excess covering material over the ends thereof, comprising two complemental members through which the poclzeted springs are adapted to pass for the compressing and folding operation,-relatively mov.- able means adapted to engage each pocketed spring as it emerges from saidv means and move the cover thereon relative to theenclosed spring so that the centrally disposed axis of said spring lies in the same planefas the partitions between the pockets, means for moving said compressing and folding means relative to said Vmovable members in predetermined relation thereto, and means for producing an intermittent motion of said last mentioned means. Y Y

12. In a device of the character described, means for receiving a row of coil springsenclosed in covering? material formed with partitions into separate pockets disposed side by side, means for compressing the enclosed spring and folding the excess covering material over the ends thereofcomprising complemental members through which the pocketed springs are adapted to pass for" the compressing and folding operation, relatively movable means adapted to engage each pocketed spring as it emerges fromA said means and move the cover thereon relativeto the enclosed spring so that the centrally disposed axis of said spring lies in the same plane as the partitions between the pockets',

means for moving said compressing and Afolding means relative to said movable members in predetermined relationthereto, and means for producing reverse movement of said feeding means in timed relation to, theA operation means for successively compressing" and folding the excess lid of said compresing and folding means and said movable members.

13. In a device of the character described, means for receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in covering material formed with partitions into separate pockets disposed side by side, means for turning the covering material relative to the centrally disposed longitudinal axis of the coil spring contained therein from a position where said axis is disposed at right angles to the plane containing the edges of the pocket wherein the spring is housed into a position wherein said axis lies in said plane, comprising relatively movable members adapted to engage the covering material and move it relative to the contained spring while holding the spring in a compressed position.

14. In a device of the character described, means for receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in covering material formed with partitions into separate pockets disposed side by side, and means for turning the covering material through substantially a right angle relative to the central axis of the coil spring contained therein comprising a pair of relatively movable parallel plates adapted to engage the covering material and move it relative to the enclosed spring While holding the spring in a compressed position.

15. In a device of the character described, meansfor receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in covering material formed with partitions into separate pockets disposed side by side, means for compressing the enclosed spring and folding the excess covering material over the ends thereof, comprising tivo complemental members through which the pocketed springs are adapted to pass for the compressing and folding operation, and meansA for moving the covering material as folded relative to the centrally disposed longitudinal axis of said spring through an arc substantially equal to right angle.

16. In a device of the character described, means for receiving a rovv of coil springs enclosed in covering materialpossessing indi vidual pockets disposed side by side along the length thereof and for compressing said spring and folding the excess covering material around the top and bottom thereof, turning means adapted to engage each spring With its folding covering material as it emerges from said first mentioned means, feed means adapted to draw the row of pocketed springs through said folding means and said turning means, and means for relieving the tension on said row of pocketed springs on both sides of said turning means during the operation thereof.

17. In a device of the character described, means for receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in covering material possessing individual pockets disposed side by side along the length thereof and for compressing said spring and folding the excess covering material around the top and bottom thereof, turning means adapted to engage each spring with its folded covering material as it emerges from said irstmentioned means, feed means adapted to draw the row of pocketed springs through said folding means and said turning means, and feed means comprising a revolvable Wheel adapted to engage the row of pocketed coil springs and draw it through the folding and turning means, and means for imparting an intermittent motion to periodically relieve the tension on the row of pocketed springs.

18. In a device of the character described, means for receiving a row of coil springs enclosed in covering material possessing individual pockets disposed side by side along the length thereof and for compressing said spring and folding the excess covering material around the top and bot-tom thereof, turning means adapted to engage each spring With its folded covering material as it emerges from said rstmentioned means, feed means adapted to draw the roviT of pocketed springs through said folding means and said turning means, and feed means comprising a revolvable Wheel adapted to engage the row of poclieted coil springs and draW it through thel folding and turning means, ratchet means for moving said Wheel a predetermined distance in the direction to feed the rovi7 of pocketed springs through the mechanism, a friction drive means adapted to continually urge said Wheel in the opposite direction and a locking device adapted to permit only a partial rotation of said Wheel in the direction in which it is urged by the friction drive means.

In testimony whereof We have signed this specification this first day of August, 1930.

BERNARD R. SCHNEIDER. KARL KAISER.

lil() 

